Thanks to the Diocese of Gloucester’s grant for wildlife , generously matched by a local estate owner, St Lawrence’s, Bourton on the Hill, has recently welcomed a small colony of bees.
The church already belongs to the Quiet Garden movement and has attained a Silver Eco Church level, awarded by A Rocha UK.
Sophie Le Metais, PCC member and a key lay leader said, “As a community of faith, we have stewardship over the church grounds. Churchyards have become islands of refuge for plants and animals lost from the surrounding area, not only in urban contexts. Offering a safe haven for bees seemed like the logical ‘next step’.
“75 per cent of our food crops depend on bees and other insects for pollination, but over the last 60 years, the UK has lost 97 per cent of its traditional wildflower meadows, with two bumblebee species becoming extinct, and driving wild honey bee species to the brink of extinction.
“This pollinator project is just one of the many examples in which caring for creation can bring local communities together. Now the bees have settled into their new home, we hope to further raise awareness and encourage others to follow suit. As created beings, we have also been entrusted with a special task – to look after all the goodness that God has made. It is a fundamental part of what it means to be human.
“We pray that our bees, as sentinels of nature, will teach us to become better creation caretakers.”
If you’re interested in signing up your church for an EcoChurch award or getting a £250 diocesan wildlife grant, follow the links or get in touch with ku.gr1726396526o.coi1726396526dsolg1726396526@noip1726396526mahca1726396526" class="broken_link">the Revd Arthur Champion.
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